Former Tustin Mayor Chuck Puckett sits next to current Tustin Mayor John Nielsen. STEPHANIE WELDY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tustin Mayor John Nielsen, front right, talks with members of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, including the moderator of the event, Bethelwel Wilson, front left. STEPHANIE WELDY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The candidates were given 90 seconds to answer each question prepared and asked by members of the Tustin Chamber of Commerce. STEPHANIE WELDY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Tracy Worley Hagen is a former mayor of Tustin. She expressed concern over the ongoing dispute between the city and Tustin Unified School District. STEPHANIE WELDY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Longtime Tustin resident and teacher David Waldram is running with Tracy Worley Hagen for one of three available seats on the Tustin City Council. STEPHANIE WELDY, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Roughly 60 community members came out to watch as the candidates – David Waldram, Tracy Worley Hagenï¿½ , Dr. Allan Bernstein, Chuck Puckett and Mayor John Nielsen – discussed issues of importance to the city of Tustin.

Popular topics included the ongoing legal dispute between the city and the school district, local business taxes, the maintaining of a business-friendly environment and the planning and future of the 1,600-acre development known as the Tustin Legacy.

The candidates were given 90 seconds to answer each question presented to them by moderator Bethelwel Wilson, chair of the Government Affairs Council with the Tustin Chamber of Commerce.

SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT

The topic that ignited the most passion among candidates and audience members was the relationship between the city and Tustin Unified.

Multiple lawsuits have been filed by the entities against one another, due to what many of the candidates referred to Monday night as a clash of personalities.

For more than two years, the city and school district have been at odds over the usage of the 10-acre Heritage Elementary School on Tustin's former Marine Corps Air Station, and over the need for city grading permits for construction at Heritage Elementary and Tustin High School.

Costing taxpayers more than $2 million in legal fees, all of the candidates, including Nielsen, agreed that the issue needs quick resolve in order to save time and taxpayer money.

Worley Hagen, a former Tustin mayor and City Council member, said the city should not waste valuable time and money on the conflict when there are more pressing issues for the city to focus on.

"It's been personalities," Worley Hagen said. "It's been ridiculous. Many people in the city know about these lawsuits and they say to us, 'How can the city and the school district be suing each other? We don't have that kind of money.' I tell them that's why I'm coming back, because I've watched this fighting and it has got to stop."

Nielsen agreed that the quarrel has persisted for too long.

"I've been asking (the school district) on the record...drop your lawsuit, we'll drop ours," he said. "Let's get together. Let's get rid of the attorneys. Let's drop the costs, let's sit down in a room and hash it out. I've asked that multiple times, in multiple venues, and I ask it again here."

Nielsen said the issue will soon be resolved with help from the judicial system, as it is to go to trial in January. With group negotiation, however, he said the dispute could be ended much more quickly.

Tustin physician and businessman Dr. Allan Bernstein blamed the conflict on a hunger for power by school board members. He said the lack of term limits for school board members has resulted in a struggle for control, stating that the majority of the individuals on the school board have been there since the mid-1990s.

He went on to say: "Term limits are the answer for the school board."

BUSINESS GROWTH

Another issue all the candidates agreed on is the importance of maintaining the city's surplus funds and business growth.

The candidates offered various suggestions on attracting businesses and continuing commercial development in Tustin.

Chuck Puckett, former Tustin mayor and chairman of the Tustin Planning Commission, stated his desire to grow Tustin business with the prolonged delay of business taxes.

Worley Hagen, who is running with Tustin business owner and teacher David Waldram, also vocalized her support for waiving business fees.

She also expressed support for a regular farmers market in the city, which she said would be beneficial for residents, and for city growth.

Waldram also supports the waiving of business licenses in an effort to generate business expansion.

The longtime Tustin resident also wants to increase community support. By involving the perspectives of business owners in city planning, Waldram said businesses and the community will pull together.

With the construction of two Marriott hotels to begin next year off Edinger Avenue and the 55 freeway in Tustin, all of the candidates are in support of low hotel taxes – particularly below 10 percent – in an effort to compete with Anaheim, Garden Grove and Irvine rates which are all higher than 10 percent.

CITY COUNCIL PAY

The candidates were not questioned during the forum about Measure HH, which eliminates City Council pay and benefits, but the majority of the candidates support it.

Nielsen said council members should volunteer their time if they wish to serve their city.

Puckett's view on the measure aligns with Nielsen's.

"It's only fair that we serve because we want to serve the city," Puckett said. "It will save the city quite a bit of money and only those really interested in serving are going to run for city council."

Worley Hagen is the only candidate to oppose the measure.

"I wouldn't have a problem if they were removing the benefits, but the City Council was paid $853 as a stipend, and I think the stipend is important, otherwise you'll end up with a City Council of lobbyists or rich people, and that doesn't best represent the city."

The forum, which was organized, broadcasted and presented to the public by the Tustin Chamber of Commerce, concluded with closing statements by the candidates.

To view the Register's online voter guide, which includes more information on the candidates, visit ocregister.com/elections.

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